After having a catheter angiogram
Catheter angiogram to check blood vessels
A catheter angiogram is a high-quality picture of your arteries. A specialist doctor called an interventional radiologist (IR doctor) puts a plastic tube (catheter) into an artery. They inject a substance called a contrast agent into the catheter and take X-ray pictures.
What happens after the procedure
You typically need to rest in the interventional radiology (IR) department for 4 hours after a catheter angiogram. This is to make sure that there are no problems.
A nurse explains when you can eat, drink and move around after your procedure. If all your checks are fine, you can usually go home on the same day.
When you go home
Here is some guidance to help you when you go home after having a catheter angiogram:
Do
- ask a responsible adult to take you home by car or taxi and stay with you overnight while you recover
- call 020 7188 2888 (Monday to Friday, 7.45am to 7pm) if you need to arrange hospital transport to take you home
- eat and drink as usual
- rest for the remainder of the day and possibly for the next day, depending on how you recover
- continue your usual activities after 48 hours if you feel well enough
- take your usual painkillers as prescribed or simple painkillers like paracetamol if you feel any discomfort
- continue taking any usual medicines as prescribed, except for diabetes medicines containing metformin (these need to be stopped for the next 48 hours)
- check the area where we put in the catheter (the wound or puncture site) regularly
Don't
- do not use public transport to travel home in case you feel unwell
- do not drive for 48 hours after the procedure and not until you feel safe to drive again
- do not have a shower until at least 24 hours after the procedure
- do not have a bath until at least 48 hours after the procedure
- do not take part in any strenuous exercise or activity (such as gym workouts or heavy lifting) for 48 hours after the procedure
If you have any concerning symptoms
If you have a problem after you have left hospital, please contact the interventional radiology department.
After your procedure, it is important to check the area where we put in the catheter (the puncture site) regularly. You may notice some bruising at the puncture site.
Bleeding or swelling is rare, but if it does happen:
- lie down
- put pressure directly on the puncture site for 10 minutes
Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
the bleeding or swelling at the puncture site continues after 10 minutes
Getting your results
The IR doctor often explains briefly what the X-ray pictures (angiograms) show at the end of your procedure.
You will have a clinic appointment with the doctor who referred you for the procedure to talk about the results and any future treatment plan.
Resource number: 0043/VER6
Last reviewed: March 2024
Next review due: March 2027
A list of sources is available on request.
